Robotic surgery at University Hospital provides an alternative to conventional procedures.

How Robotic Surgery Works

Seated only a few feet away from the operating table, surgeons view the patient's anatomy through a screen that produces a magnified, three-dimensional image of the surgical landscape. The surgical robot is controlled by an expert surgeon who carefully maneuvers a pair of knobs that control the robot's arms. On the patient's end, the robot's arms are fitted with five to eight millimeter surgical instruments and a small camera scope that provides a detailed view of the patient.

The system allows the surgeon's hand movements to be scaled, filtered and translated into precise movements of micro-instruments within the operative site. The magnified, three-dimensional view the surgeon experiences enables him to perform precise surgery in complex procedures through small surgical incisions.

What the Surgical Robot Does Not Do

The surgical robot does not perform surgery or make any decisions on its own. It is only a piece of high-tech equipment that providessurgeons with an enhanced arena in which they can do their work.

Benefits and Advantages

Robotic surgery using the da Vinci® Surgical System may offer the following benefits and advantages for patients deemed viable candidates: